Letting go…… This is Goodbye

I have had a great time writing this blog…. and when it started, I really had no idea how much feedback I would get and overall encouragement…. I am so grateful for all of my readers and subscribers, THANK YOU for your time, your patience, everything. I feel like if I were to keep writing here, my followers might continue to increase, and I might even become somewhat ‘successful’ as far as blogs go- but I don’t really want that. I knew from the beginning that my family is the most important thing in my life and this was only a hobby. For me, it was just something that I was curious about, a way for me to express myself and be heard, something new to try…. Part of me wants to continue….. to play this out as far as it might go….. but I’m sort of fickle- I love change, I love trying new things, and though I wish it wasn’t true, I really can’t stand any kind of routine! I get bored, and restless, very easily. So last week when I wrote the post about wanting to ‘live’ I meant it, I want to live my life….. and for me that means trying all sorts of things, moving on and learning and changing, so much change….. for me success isn’t about followers, site stats, and finances – it’s about experiences, memories, and moments. It feels good to know that if this was something I wanted, I could pursue it….. but it feels even better knowing that there is soooo much more out there I could do…… and will do……So I’ll give you one last bit of advice from me – figure out what’s most important to you- then forget about the rest! Never let obligations, old dreams, or imagined responsibilities stop you from truly living- and never let someone else’s ideas be your motivating force- we all have different wants, desires, needs, and ideas of what we want from life, don’t let anyone keep you from yours- just make sure your definition is really your definition – oh, and one more thing- don’t ever be afraid to let go-

This is goodbye……. for now- who knows? Maybe we’ll run into each other in the ‘real world’ one day, maybe we’ll have meaningful conversation over whiskey and lime, maybe we’ll go sky-diving or share tips on how to get our kids to do there chores, or maybe, we’ll just pass each other by- two souls who know each other- having never really met……

What would you be more of if you let go of the past?

‘What would you be more of if you let go of the past?

Let’s say that a really cool Fairy Godmother appeared by your side right this second and said, “You are whatever you want to be from this day forward! We’ll just forget about all the times you were less than your best, and all the dark and brilliant ways that you’ve tried to love and be loved. And that one time you were a little bit nasty, let’s erase that from the record. And while we’re at it, we’ll forget about all the times you got bumped and bruised and neglected along the way.” It’s over. Free. Nothing to resent, nothing to be bitter about. Clean slate. Go.

What would you be more of if you let go of the past?’ {excerpt from Danielle Laporte}

This is a little personal friends….. here goes-

I would be more trusting, no longer afraid of getting hurt. I would be more artistic, no longer hearing the criticism. I would be more daring, no longer afraid of tragic consequences. I would be more innocent, no longer tarnished by my experiences. I would be more optimistic, no longer remembering past failures. I would be more forgiving, no longer plagued by betrayals, both my own and others. I would be more open,loving, accepting, thriving, adventurous, and complete.

I would be more FREE.

What would YOU be more of if you let go of the past?

Dreams…

‘ I’ve dreamt in my life dreams that have stayed with me ever after, and changed my ideas…. they’ve gone through and through me, like wine through water, and altered the color of my mind’ ~ Emily Bronte

What dreams have you and your children had lately? Have you taken them out, looked them over, listened closely to their soft whispers? In this crazy world dreams are sometimes frowned on, laughed at, or at the very least dismissed without another thought…….. When we’re little our world is so full of dreams it’s sometimes difficult to see the line between them and reality…… but as we grow, we also tend to ‘grow up’ and away from our dreams………we become more ‘practical’ and ‘level-headed’…… with no time for such nonsense as dreams and fantasy……. but every single great achievement and invention in history started out as a dream……..So encourage dreams, pay attention and listen to them, support them, both yours and your children’s………  because what would this world be like if there were no dreams?…. 

{sorry! I just couldn’t resist making another quote/image thingamajig ♥}

It. Is. TIME…

One day she looked away from the screen……….and right then she knew what she had to do…… she realized it was time, time to stop hiding in the cozy safe cocoon of the online world……reading blogs, taking e-courses and updating her status…… it was time to stop looking at other peoples lives while dreaming and wishing about her own …… it was time to    feel the sun on her skin, to look at her children and really LISTEN to what they were saying, to go for a walk, read something that had pages to turn, to bake, to paint, to just BE…… it was time…… to LIVE again…. so with a trembling hand she reached over……. took one last longing look, at yet another amazing article with even more beautiful and inspiring images…. and gently closed the laptop……. she didn’t know what she was going to do…… or where she was going to go……but she did know one thing-

It. Was. TIME…

{This Moment}

{this moment} – A Friday ritual. A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

If you’re inspired to do the same, leave a link to your ‘moment’ in the comments for all to find and see.

Inspired by Soulemama

Capturing the magic of Autumn

I love the ROTH site {Rhythm of the Home} It is so full of great ideas and inspiration for my family. So when they asked if anyone wanted to include a photo and tip for taking pictures in the fall season I was quick to sign up!  If you would like to see all of the beautiful photo’s and tips submitted, follow this link —>> Capturing the Season : Autumn Photography Tips

Fall is by far one of my absolute favorite seasons {isn’t it every ones?!} When I think of Fall I think of long scarves,picnics, hot steaming cups of apple cider, pumpkin pie, brisk mornings, and the sound of leaves crunching beneath our feet……  we often go to our favorite creek in our favorite park and play all day near, and sometimes in the water {the beginning of fall is still warm enough to do those kinds of things where we live♥} Choosing just one picture was very difficult! So, because I love this season so very much, I want to begin a new ‘tradition’ on this wild blog of mine……… one that honors each season as it arrives……. one that celebrates the magic of nature………. and all of our magical memories as well….

I will post images that, to me, Capture the Magic of Autumn, and I am inviting any and all of you to post a link to your blog, sharing with us your own ‘captured magic’ of the season…… or if you don’t have a blog and would still like to share, you can at least tell us about it in your comments {or link to another page, think- Facebook, Pinterest, and Flickr} Thank you sooo much for sharing in this with me and I hope sooo much that you participate because I would so dearly love looking at your beautiful links and comments!♥♥♥

Now it’s your turn♥

Take a ‘sick day’ {esp. when you don’t REALLY need it ☺}

Oh, the sweet gentle rhythm of a classic ‘sick day’……… hot soup, cold wash-cloths, cartoons……   When I got sick as a child I would always crave grapes and chocolate milk {I was a strange kid☺} I have very fond cozy memories of watching I Love Lucy and Leave it to Beaver re-runs while munching on said grapes and chocolate milk…..

With my own children the average sick day consists of juice, sprinkles {my kids have an odd love of sprinkles- the kind you use on cupcakes} chicken soup, cuddling, and quiet activities like play dough, coloring, and reading aloud….. and of course, the cartoons ♥

I love ‘sick days’……. not the sick part, but the lovey-dovey memory making parts. {and the excuse to get in an insane amount of cuddling time with my kiddos!}

They love sick days too, so when my son woke up with a case of the ‘sniffles’ this morning, we declared it was a sick day! These are the best kind…..sick enough for the excuse to have one but not so sick we can’t enjoy it♥♥♥

We even squeeze in some learning……. nothing better than a child captive on the couch to read some history lessons to ; )

My advice to you? Take a sick day as often as you can! {and don’t forget the sprinkles♥}